Sufficient vitamin D in arthritis

Arthritis patients should avoid a vitamin D deficiency. Otherwise, complaints could get worse

A lack of vitamin D can increase complaints in rheumatoid arthritis (chronic polyarthritis), as the professional association of German Rheumatologists announced. For this reason, arthritis patients should ensure adequate vitamin D intake.

In the course of reporting on arthritis, physicians of the Association of German Rheumatologists indicate that a lack of vitamin D can increase pain and discomfort in rheumatoid arthritis. In practice, it has been observed that a vitamin D deficiency often contributes to the intensification of joint pain. In addition, the risk of cardiovascular disease could be increased. Patients should therefore regularly check the vitamin D level with their family doctor and if there is a deficiency, they should resort to supplemental supplements. According to the doctors, patients with back pain, joint pain and other discomforts can get by with far less pain medication if the vitamin level is normal. A deficiency often arises in winter, because to 80 to 90 percent of vitamin D is formed by UV rays of the sun in the skin.

Vitamin D is very important for the human calcium balance and regulates the build up as well as the degradation of the bone. Although food is generally a poor source of vitamin D, the vitamin can still be found in its natural form. A high proportion of vitamin D, for example, has cod liver oil, some fish species and the fat-rich avocados. (sb, 09.11.2010)

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Image: Jerzy Sawluk